President's Letter

This week I was heading to eastern Idaho for meetings in American Falls, Rexburg and Ashton when I drove by a building that I have driven by for many years. A building that has always fascinated me. This time I stopped. 

The building is located on the bypass near the Ridgeway Road exit in Hazelton, part way between Twin Falls and Burley on Interstate 84. I am not sure what the building once was. Maybe it was a school. Maybe a church or a Grange Hall. But whatever it was, at one point in time it must have been a very important building in the community. It must have been a beautiful building, with stained glass windows on the west side. At some point in its history, it was once a focal point in its community.

Now, it’s abandoned, falling prey to time and gravity. For me, this building and what it once was, is a good reminder that communities don’t just happen. They aren’t there by accident. They take nurturing and care, their vibrancy vigorously guarded by their members.

When that care goes away, when the community members let down their guard, or the next generation doesn’t take up the cause, this building is a reminder of what can happen. It’s a constant reminder for the thousands of cars that pass by it every day on the interstate. Similar reminders can be found in communities across Idaho.

I realize communities change. They grow and evolve and not every gathering place is forever. But for an organization like ours, whose mission is to help build thriving communities in Idaho, buildings like this are a good reminder that we have the opportunity and responsibility to make sure  the people in our communities have the resources they need to ensure that whatever places identify them as a community “still are” as opposed to “once were.”

Have a good April and I hope spring arrives soon. 

Best wishes,
Steve Burns

Save the Date to celebrate Eastern Idaho Philanthropy!

We hope you’ll join us for an in-person event celebrating philanthropy in eastern Idaho. We are honored to be your partner in charitable giving. Together, we granted more than $1.4 million from Island Park to Bear Lake in 2022. Since our grantmaking began in 1990, we’ve granted more than $25 million in the region. That’s a great reason to throw a party!

We will recognize retiring Board Director Steve Carr as a champion of philanthropy at the event by presenting him with the Friend of the Foundation Award, which recognizes exceptional contributions to the Idaho Community Foundation and to Idaho.

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. (award presentation at 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Museum of Idaho, 200 N. Eastern Ave., Idaho Falls
Cost: $50 per person, includes hearty appetizers, beer, wine, cider and nonalcoholic beverages, and admission to the museum exhibits.

We are so pleased to welcome Clark Hyvonen as our new Philanthropic Advisor for Southwest Idaho and South Central Idaho. He will help Idahoans make their communities even better through philanthropy by working with them to create charitable giving funds to support their favorite causes and organizations.

Clark has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and an MBA from Eastern Illinois University. He previously worked for the University of Idaho as the director of estate, trust and gift planning.

He and his wife live in Star. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. Clark enjoys athletics of any kind and has played and coached football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey and soccer.

Clark traced his ancestry and discovered he is descended from Norwegian Vikings on his mother’s side and a Mayflower passenger on his father’s side. He also enjoys hiking and camping in Idaho’s backcountry.

“I’m looking forward to helping Idahoans make a meaningful charitable impact in their community,” Clark said.

Congratulations, Kris Kamann!
Senior Philanthropic Advisor Kris Kamann is now certified as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy ®, one of only four in Idaho.

The CAP designation is issued by the American College of Financial Services, the premier education institution dedicated to the development of financial services professionals.

“I look forward to providing even more robust charitable giving services to Idahoans who want to give where they live,” Kris said.

Congratulations, Peter Faucher!
Our North Idaho Philanthropic Advisor, Peter Faucher, was selected for the 2023 class of Leadership Coeur d’Alene, a highly competitive program administered by the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber. 

Leadership Coeur d’Alene was created to further engage and educate leaders in business, education, the arts, religion, government and community-based organizations. The program meets monthly to learn about and discuss a wide variety of issues such as the economy, government, media, public safety and philanthropy. Speakers will include local CEOs, elected officials and other community leaders. The 2023 class will also plan and execute the sessions in 2024.

“I’m excited and incredibly honored to be selected for this year’s Leadership class,” said Peter. “I know we all have one thing in common – to make our community a better place.”

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